Lesson 13 – Romans Chapter 6:1-11
Chapters 1 thru 5 told us that we’re dead “in” sin or trespasses, but in chapters 6 thru 8 we’re told we are now dead “to” sin.
Rom. 6:1
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
At the end of chapter 5 in verse 20, it says, “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” (NLT)
When some people hear that verse, they read into it thinking, “If I sin more and more, God’s grace is going to increase… that must be a good thing.”
• What’s wrong with that kind of thinking?
That makes God’s grace, “cheap grace.” Besides, as God’s children we’re called to be holy.
I Peter 1:15-16
“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
To purposely sin so that grace would increase is not what Paul was teaching, in fact Paul was being accused of doing just that.
We talked about this in the last lesson, and it was referred to as “antinomianism.” This person sees himself as under no obligation to follow any type of moral code. Even a young Christian would question that line of thinking.
So, Paul says,
Rom. 6:2
“Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
“Certainly not” (Greek = May) translated, it expresses an absolute denial. It denies simply, absolutely, categorically, directly… no. Some translations say, “God forbid.”
Paul is using the strongest words he can to set the people straight.
“How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”
Before a person is “born-again,” they are a “slave to sin.”
John 8:34
“Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”
When sin is our master, we are unable to resist it. But when we give our life to Christ, everything changes by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the power of sin. Thus, making Jesus our Master and not sin.
Gal. 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
If we are no longer slaves to sin like we were in the past, why would we want to go back to it? This is Paul’s question to us.
Rom. 6:3
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”
“Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?” (NLT)
When a person surrenders to Christ, a transformation takes place. Number one, we pass from death to life, we are reborn spiritually speaking. Jesus told us, “Unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (Jn.3:3)
Second, we make a public declaration of the truth that is in our heart by being baptized. Take note that a baby or little child is incapable of making a decision for Christ, therefore, baptizing them is meaningless.
Matt. 28:19
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Col. 2:12
“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.”
Once we have been baptized into Christ Jesus, we are permanently being immersed into Him, being made one with God. This was Jesus’ prayer to the Father;
John 17:21
“That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Rom. 6:4
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (NLT)
An army chaplain reported his amazement at the large number of Desert Storm soldiers who gave their hearts to Jesus Christ, and then asked if they could be baptized. To accommodate their requests, a wise pastor used the only “baptismal” available in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert: a coffin… it became a potent and perfect symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection, of which baptism is a reminder.
“We were buried with Him through baptism into death”
There is important symbolism here for us to take in. We know what it is to be buried in the ground, and Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb. Paul says we’re buried with Jesus symbolically when we step up and get baptized. It must have been quite the experience for the soldiers getting baptized in a coffin filled with water, and then come out of the water into a new life with God.
We don’t stay buried in the waters of baptism… no one would survive… but just like Jesus rose from death into life, (just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father) we do the same thing spiritually.
II Cor. 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” (RSV)
“Even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
So, if we can relate to Jesus’ death, we most certainly can relate to His life, His resurrection. Having died and having been raised to new life with Christ, we should be living a new kind of life.
If a person has not changed since they first became a Christian, that person needs to re-examine their heart.
• What does newness of life look like to you?
With newness of life, the first thing that can take place is a change in our thought process, all the different things we think about. Paul says;
Phil. 4:8
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (NLT)
If a sinful thought comes into your mind, immediately ask the Holy Spirit to push it out before it has time to become a sin. It’s not a sin to be tempted in your thoughts, it’s what you do with those thoughts that can become a sin.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “they’re so heavenly minded, that they’re no earthly good.” This is probably a thought that satan put into someone’s head. I challenge anyone to try to become so heavenly mined, that they’re no earthly good… I don’t think it can be done.
The second change in newness of life will be what you do. Yes, we have our normal everyday routines and tasks that we do, but there are the things that we do which lay-up treasures in heaven, some people call them random acts of kindness.
James 2:17
“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (NLT)
Having “faith” in Jesus (which is what saved you), should begin to show up in the things you do, things that will prove that you belong to God. The Holy Spirit will inspire you to do good works for His kingdom.
The things we can do are endless; here is a small list of some things to do:
1. Invite someone over for dinner and provide wonderful food
2. Mail a gift card to someone going through a rough season
3. Send a “just because” card with a personal handwritten message
4. Pay the bill for that family with all the young kids at the restaurant
5. Make cookies for someone – neighbor, coworker, a favorite cashier
6. Bring coffee or tea to the staff at your child’s school
7. Offer to babysit the kids of a single mom so she can go shopping or just have a few hours to herself
8. Take a plate of cookies to your neighbors and spend a few minutes talking to them and getting to know them
9. Ding dong ditch someone. Leave a box of Ding Dongs (and maybe some other cool stuff) and literally ring their doorbell and scram
10. Drop off a hot meal for someone who is ill, lost a loved
one, or just came home from the hospital
When it comes to doing good things for God’s kingdom, you will pretty much never run out of things to do. Remember every good deed can plant a seed.
Lastly, with newness of life, the way we speak can change as well.
Matt. 12:33-37
“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Proverbs 25:11
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
James 3:6,9
“And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.”
Be careful of the things you say. James gives us more advice; “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (1:9)
With newness of life change “can” happen, but it will only happen when you submit to the Holy Spirit and make Jesus Lord of your life.
Rom. 6:5
“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,”
Being united with Christ in the likeness of His death, we can have the assurance of our own resurrection, because we are in the likeness of His resurrection.
Col. 3:1,3
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Because Christ lives, we live, and because Jesus rose from the grave, we will rise from the grave as well, this is called the “first resurrection”.
Rev. 20:6
“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection… over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
I Thess. 4:14
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
I Thess. 4:16
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
When the Christian dies, his or her soul and spirit goes to be with Christ in His Father’s house in heaven. His or her body will remain in the grave until the resurrection takes place, this is referred to as the Rapture and many see this happening just before the Tribulation. Numerous bible teachers think that we will receive our glorified bodies at this time, and that our bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrected body… something to look forward to.
Rom. 6:6
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
The old man is who we were before Christ, meaning, having the sinful nature of Adam.
The word old does not translate meaning a persons age, but it is (pal-ahe-yos’), which refers to something that is completely worn out and useless, fit only for the dump.
When Jesus died on the cross two thousand years ago, something incredible happened. Our old sin nature was crucified with Him. Perhaps we will never fully understand this, but we should be forever grateful for it. At the cross, all of our sins were taken on by Jesus, even our original sin… that the body of sin might be done away with.
The end result is; that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
Everyone is a “slave” in the spiritual sense. We are either slaves to sin, which is our natural state, or we are slaves to Christ. Being a slave to Christ is the wisest choice to make.
Paul declares himself as a slave of Christ.
Rom. 1:1 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”
The word “bondservant” is translated, “slave.”
James opens his book in the same way;
James 1:1 “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,”
Being a slave to sin is not where you want to be… when sin is our master, we are unable to resist it.
John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”
Through the Holy Spirit who comes to live within us, it is by His power that we are able to resist sinning and become slaves of righteousness.
John MacArthur; “As already noted, Paul does not teach that a Christian is no longer capable of committing sin but that he is no longer under the compulsion and tyranny of sin, nor will he dutifully and solely obey sin as he formerly did. For all genuine Christians, slavery to sin no longer exists.”
Rom. 6:7
“For he who has died has been freed from sin.”
He who has died… brings us back to; “our old man was crucified,” which indicated that the “old life” has died, and with it, slavery to sin. This is a permanent position for those who are in Christ.
Freed from sin: is a legal term, that translates as “justified,” we have studied justification in previous verses.
Rom. 6:8
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,”
We believe… as Christians, we realize that we have died to sin, and through Christ, we have been made alive. We can agree that this is a true statement, but now Paul has put in the word “believe.”
Believe: (pist-too’-o) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, or place confidence in. Also, to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: having saving faith.
In this context, believe and faith are synonymous, meaning the same thing.
James 2:19
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
James brings into focus of what it means to believe, he’s using the same word Paul is using in verse 8. He says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well,” James is using a bit of sarcasm in “You do well,” pointing out that even the demons believe.
The demons know all about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, how Jesus conquered sin and death, grace and faith, that there is a heaven and hell, and that their fate is sealed to the Lake of Fire… they believe all this, but they hate it. So, when a person says they believe in Jesus and what He did, the heart must be examined to know their true intent.
Paul brings this out in Romans 10:9, with “believe in your heart.”
When we read, “we believe that we shall also live with Him,” this needs to be a “truth statement” that resides in our heart.
Rom. 6:9-10
“Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.”
Jesus died once for all… dies no more
Heb. 9:28
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (NIV)
Heb. 10:10
“For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” (NLT)
Death no longer has dominion over Him
Rev. 1:18
“I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (NLT)
Jesus conquered the grave… on the third day God raised Him from the dead. This defines the most important difference between Christianity and all other religions. Look at the so-called leaders or gods of any religion or cult, we see that they’re still in their grave… only Jesus has defeated death and the grave.
The fact that Jesus has overcome death has eternal consequences for us all in a “good way.” The good news—the gospel—is established in Jesus’ victory over death. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel to preach; and the hope within us would be meaningless.
I Cor. 15:16-17
“And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” (NLT)
But the Resurrection did take place, and Jesus is alive! And we have witnesses to this fact.
I Cor. 15:6
“After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.”
But the life that He lives, He lives to God
John 8:29
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
Perhaps the question should be raised… what does it mean to live to God?
(NLT) “But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.”
Jesus summed up a life lived for God when a teacher of the law asked Him what the most important commandment was. Jesus replied, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
If we were able to obey all of this command, we could say that we were living for the glory of God. But, how many of us really do obey this? For us to obey this command we must do it through the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said; “For apart from Me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15)
Jesus lives for the Father… so let’s ask ourselves, “do we live for God?” For many of us the answer would be “yes”, but, just not perfectly. The way to live your life for God is, to live in a way that pleases God, and one of those ways is through obedience…
John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (obedience pleases the Lord)
I John 2:17
And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
I Thess. 4:1
“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. (NLT)
A life lived for the Lord is one that walks in obedience, totally devoted to Him… seeking to bring Him glory. Application on a personal level is, read your bible and pray… everyday.
Rom. 6:11
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” (NLT)
The word reckon is an accounting term, that means to take into account, to decide or to calculate something. So far in chapter 6 we’ve learned that Jesus has annihilated sin, death and satan… they have been destroyed. We are dead to sin (meaning no longer slaves to sin).
“But alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You’re alive in Christ, once you were dead, but now you have a new life in Jesus. Celebrate this truth and hold on to it, don’t let satan try to tell you anything else… and he will try. Being alive to God means your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you will spend all eternity in paradise with God! Praise the Lord!